Leesville Road’s second half pushes it past Heritage soccer

Leesville Road’s boys soccer team broke open a halftime tie with three goals in the first six minutes of the second half en route to a 6-2 win over Heritage (3-3-1, 1-1).

Heritage had the momentum going into halftime, but Leesville (3-2-2, 1-1) quickly wrested control in this Cap-8 game and didn’t look back.

“We played some really great soccer, not just because the goals were going in,” said Leesville coach Paul Dinkenor. “We thoroughly dominated the second half.”

In Leesville’s last match, a loss at Enloe, the Pride struggled to score, even with plentiful scoring opportunities. Leading goal scorer Alyddin Darar in particular struggled last week but had no trouble against the Huskies. Darar netted a hat trick by using his superior speed and finishing ability.

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Turning point

Just1 minute and 21 seconds into the second half, Leesville junior Drew Walczyk headed in a goal. Tyler Proctor set up the score with a perfect cross from the right flank.

This quickly boosted Leesville’s confidence, and the Pride pounced on the Huskies’ vulnerability, scoring twice more in the next few minutes.

“The first one was brutal,” said Heritage coach Scott Sloan. “We have all the momentum going into halftime. We evened up the game. A minute and a half in, on poor marking, not being able to clear the ball, that’s frustrating.”

They said it

“Everybody who played tonight, I thought, contributed, and some dominated,” Dinkenor said. “Nobody just participated.”

Three who mattered

Alyddin Darar, Leesville: Darar’s three goals paced the Pride, rebounding strong off a scoreless game last week. Each goal followed the same blueprint: On a loose ball or solid through ball, Darar would flash his elite pace and get to the ball first. He would use his speed to beat and cross over multiple defenders, many of whom ended up on the ground. Finally, Darar would bury the ball in the back of the net with ease.

Logan Shytle, Heritage: After scoring 13 goals in his first six games, Shytle accounted for just one against Leesville. Shytle scored the first goal of the game after beating several flat-footed Pride defenders, but he didn’t make much of an impact after that.

Tyler Proctor, Leesville: Proctor set up the Walczyk goal in the second half, but he also had another assist and a goal of his own. Proctor owned the right flank and played some great balls into the box throughout the match. His goal came in the first half and was the second of the game for Leesville.

With a great through ball from defender Matt Bissette, Proctor got a one-on-one look with two defenders trailing. Heritage keeper Cooper Green came to challenge with a defender who caught up, but the ball squirted past both, the two fell and Proctor scored an easy goal.

Unsung hero

Bissette had the challenge of marking Shytle throughout the game, but Leesville’s captain was up to the task.

Bissette didn’t play a perfect game, as he got beat in Shytle’s first goal, but Bissette used his large body to bother Shytle for the rest of the match.

“Matt’s a real competitor,” Dinkenor said. “I wouldn’t trade him for anybody. He’s a fighter. He is one of the toughest kids I’ve ever coached.”